603Podcast with Dan Egan

Abby Clark: American Ninja Warrior

To kick of Season 3 of the 603 podcast, Dan Egan is joined by Abby Clark, one of the most accomplished women on American Ninja Warrior, to talk about what it actually takes to “hit the buzzer” when the obstacles are brand new, the water is cold, and one hand placement that’s off by half an inch can end your season. Abby walks us through nine seasons of competition, the feeling of landing her first buzzer, and the long stretch of warped wall frustration that played out on national television year after year. We get deep into ninja training and technique, including how the salmon ladder really works, why athletes use a mixed grip on free-spinning bars, and why balance obstacles can be more dangerous than the biggest upper-body moves. If you’ve ever wondered how American Ninja Warrior rules work, we also break down qualifying advancement, racing formats, and what changes mentally when the show turns into head-to-head battles. Then we zoom out to life beyond the course: staying an athlete after college, blocking out negative noise, owning a ninja gym, and exploring where obstacle course racing could go next with the sport growing worldwide.  All this and more on the 603podcast. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202520/fan_mail/new] Mad River Coffee [https://madrivercoffeeroasters.com/]celebrates 20 years of roasting coffee, legendary egg sandwiches, meals to go, and live music right off Exit 28 in Campton NH. For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com  [https://603podcast.com/]

North Conway, NH in "Mount Washington Valley: Through The Ears" with Sarah Eastman and Karen Cummings

In this episode of the 603podcast, Dan Egan sits down with Sarah Eastman and Karen Cummings to unpack “Mount Washington Valley: Through The Ears,” a vibrant collection of Mountain Ear newspaper stories from 1976–2005 that detail  how the unique community of North Conway became a world-class destination. This conversation moves from railroads and grand hotels to artists selling hand-painted “postcards,” then onto five historic ski areas and the ingenious Cranmore Skimobile that still lives in local memory. We explore the people who built the culture like Joe Dodge and the AMC hut system that stitched the Presidential Range into reachable segments, and the Eastern Slope Ski Club, a volunteer engine that teaches every elementary school child to ski and quietly seeds future Olympians. Along the way, we revisit the Spring Champagne Stampede and the Mud Bowl—events that turned low-snow years and shoulder seasons into fundraisers and folklore—plus the Volvo International tennis era that put North Conway on national TV without sanding off its edges. Eastman and Cummings discuss the valley’s heartbeat and offer practical wisdom: respect Mount Washington’s dangerous weather, start with short hikes, ride the tourist train to feel the past, wander the village where the station’s towers frame the mountain, and let the Saco River and the notches reset your sense of New England. Sarah and Karen share how they sifted thousands of features to preserve the characters and places that defined a community—proof that storytelling can hold a town together long after the presses stop. You can purchase Mount Washington Valley: Through the Ears from Bondcliff Books [https://www.bondcliffbooks.com/proddetail.php?prod=978-1-931271-41-7], the local bookstore. Subscribe for more Granite State stories, share this episode with a friend who loves the Whites, and leave a review telling us your favorite North Conway memory. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202520/fan_mail/new] Mad River Coffee [https://madrivercoffeeroasters.com/]celebrates 20 years of roasting coffee, legendary egg sandwiches, meals to go, and live music right off Exit 28 in Campton NH. For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com  [https://603podcast.com/]

Avalanche Safety with Charlotte MacDonald: Inside the Mount Washington Avalanche Center

Note: This episode was recorded in later spring of 2025.  On this episode of the 603podcast, Charlotte MacDonald talks with host Dan Egan and opens a window into the work of the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, where life-saving forecasts are crafted in pre-dawn darkness and tested daily against the mountain's unpredictable temperament. Rising at 4:30am to analyze weather data, MacDonald collaborates with fellow forecasters to publish early a.m. advisories that backcountry enthusiasts depend on before heading into avalanche terrain. The White Mountains present unique forecasting challenges with wind-driven snowpacks that transform hourly. "In some ways it's easy to get into our terrain," MacDonald explains, "but it's also challenging." Unlike static snowpacks in other regions, Mount Washington's snow constantly shifts with hurricane-force winds that alternately stabilize and destabilize slopes. This dynamic environment requires forecasters to develop intimate knowledge of how wind, temperature, and precipitation interact across the mountain's complex terrain. MacDonald's journey from recreational skier with little avalanche knowledge to professional forecaster offers a compelling narrative about the importance of education and mentorship. Today, she's pioneering mentorship programs to help others develop crucial safety skills, emphasizing that education shouldn't end with a basic avalanche course. The increasing popularity of backcountry skiing has transformed the forecaster's role beyond simply predicting avalanche conditions. As more adventurers explore remote terrain year-round, MacDonald and her colleagues balance forecasting duties with search and rescue responsibilities, community education, and cultivating a culture of information sharing. Her simple request? Send photos and observations from your adventures—they provide vital data that might save lives. Whether you're an experienced backcountry traveler or simply curious about how avalanche professionals protect mountain communities, this conversation offers rare insight into the elements behind every forecast.  To learn more about the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, visit https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/ [https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/] where you can find information on upcoming workshops, news, and the MWAC App for easy access to avalanche information and observations on-the-go.   Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202520/fan_mail/new] For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com  [https://603podcast.com/]

True Crime Travel Guide: Dawn Barclay On Dark Tourism Across New Hampshire And Beyond

Dan Egan sits down with author and travel writer Dawn Barclay to explore how she transforms New England’s most gripping true crime stories into  planned road trips. Dawn’s new series, Vacations Can Be Murder [https://www.amazon.com/Vacations-Can-Be-Murder-England-ebook/dp/B0F1DXGDGT], maps cases across New Hampshire and the region with exacting research, stories, and a surprising amount of care for the living. Dawn explains the difference in crime patterns from Maine to Massachusetts, and what gives New Hampshire’s cases their distinct voice. From the Smuttynose to James Colbert murders, she traces how landscapes shape stories—and how stories, in turn, shape travel. If you’re curious about dark tourism done right, you’ll find practical insights here: respectful itineraries, further reading to deepen context, and victim resources embedded throughout.  Press play to rethink true crime through the lens of place and history on this spooky Halloween episode of the 603podcast.  More on the Vacations Can Be Murder can be found here [https://vacationscanbemurder.weebly.com/]. Stay up to date on all of Dawn Barclay's work on her site.  [http://www.dmbarr.com/] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202520/fan_mail/new] For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com  [https://603podcast.com/]

Coffee, Community, and Crafting a North Country Icon: Mad River Coffee

Ever wonder what it takes to build a thriving local business that becomes woven into the fabric of a community? Dave Levin's journey from basement coffee roaster to creating a New Hampshire landmark at Exit 28 offers a story in entrepreneurial grit, community building, and staying true to your vision. When David first started roasting coffee in his basement in 2004, he had no idea his small wholesale operation would transform into Mad River Coffee Roasters—now a beloved gathering space with dozens of employees and a reputation that draws visitors from across New England. His approach was refreshingly straightforward: create delicious coffee, be open consistently, and foster genuine community connections. What makes this story particularly compelling is how Dave transformed challenges into opportunities. When industry professionals warned him that without high foot traffic, he'd need to roast his own coffee to survive, he embraced manufacturing his product—eliminating middlemen and creating signature blends that remain community favorites two decades later. When competition moved in across the street, he focused on what made his business special rather than worrying about competitors. When lines formed at the counter, he taught staff to see it as part of the experience rather than a problem to solve frantically. The success of Mad River Coffee Roasters reveals something profound about business and community: authenticity resonates. The cozy atmosphere consistently ranks as their most praised feature in reviews, followed by friendly staff—and of course amazing coffee and food. It's a reminder that while product quality matters, the experience and feeling you create are just as important.  Ready to discover the full story behind one of New Hampshire's most cherished local businesses? Listen now to learn how coffee became the catalyst for creating a space where locals, second homeowners, and tourists all find common ground in the heart of the Granite State. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2202520/fan_mail/new] For more information about the 603podcast visit 603podcast.com  [https://603podcast.com/]